U.S. patent number 5,301,806 [Application Number 07/973,467] was granted by the patent office on 1994-04-12 for clean up with cut resistant layer.
Invention is credited to Mary Lou Olson.
United States Patent |
5,301,806 |
Olson |
April 12, 1994 |
Clean up with cut resistant layer
Abstract
The invention relates to a clean up bag, more particularly to a
plastic bag that has a plastic glove which is heat sealed to one
interior side of the bag. The glove has two thumbs so that it may
be used by either left handed or right handed individuals. The bag
is covered with a cut-resistant fabric such as Kevlar, and has a
padding of fibrous material on the outside of the bag which absorbs
any liquid surrounding or contained in the waste to be picked up.
The bag also has a draw string closure on the top which pulls from
either side. The bag is turned inside out once the waste has been
cleaned up, and the draw strings used to close the bag for
disposal.
Inventors: |
Olson; Mary Lou (Mendota
Heights, MN) |
Family
ID: |
25520931 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/973,467 |
Filed: |
November 6, 1992 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/278; 15/227;
2/159; 2/160; 206/438; 294/1.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D
19/0068 (20130101); A41D 19/0075 (20130101); A41D
19/0096 (20130101); A41D 19/01 (20130101); A47L
13/18 (20130101); A61B 42/40 (20160201); A61B
50/36 (20160201); E01H 1/1206 (20130101); E01H
2001/124 (20130101); A61B 2050/314 (20160201); A61B
2050/0071 (20160201); A61B 50/37 (20160201) |
Current International
Class: |
A41D
19/01 (20060101); A41D 19/00 (20060101); A61B
19/00 (20060101); A61B 19/04 (20060101); A61B
19/02 (20060101); A47L 13/18 (20060101); A47L
13/16 (20060101); B65D 085/18 (); A47L
013/18 () |
Field of
Search: |
;206/278,438 ;2/159,160
;15/104.94,227 ;294/1.3 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Gehman; Bryon P.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Merchant, Gould, Smith, Welter
& Schmidt
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A clean up device comprising:
a plastic bag, said bag having a top and a bottom and a first and a
second side;
a layer of cut-resistant material surrounding the exterior of said
plastic bag;
a layer of absorbent material attached to an exterior surface of
the cut-resistant material;
a glove attached to one interior side of said bag; and
a means for closing said bag, said means being located on the top
of the bag.
2. A clean up device as defined in claim 1 wherein said bag is
formed from heat-sealable plastic.
3. A clean up device as defined in claim 2 wherein said glove is
formed from heat-sealable plastic.
4. A clean up device as defined in claim 2 further including a
gauze pad attached to an exterior surface of the absorbent
material.
5. A clean up device as defined in claim 4 wherein said closing
means comprises two draw string cords.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to clean up devices and methods, and more
particularly to a device and method for cleaning up hazardous,
infectious or toxic wastes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,188 to Olson, entitled "Clean Up Device", (the
entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference) discloses a clean up device which includes a glove which
is heat-sealed to the inside of a plastic bag. The plastic bag is
used to pick up waste, and in particular animal excrement. This
glove allows easy manipulation of the bag so that the excrement may
be easily picked up. The glove prevents the bag from slipping
around on the hand. Further, the outside of the bag has padded
material mounted to the surface of the bag. This padding material
helps absorb any moisture contained in the excrement so that the
excrement does not slip around when the user is picking it up.
Further, the padding serves as an insulator so that the user does
not feel the texture or heat of the excrement.
The present invention is a further development of the device
disclosed in the Olson '188 patent. The invention is particularly
adapted for the clean up and disposal of hazardous, infectious and
toxic wastes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a clean up device, more particularly to a
plastic bag that has a plastic glove which is heat-sealed to one
interior side of the bag. The plastic bag is surrounded by a layer
of cut-resistant material such as Kevlar.TM.. There is an absorbent
towel attached to the outside of the cut-resistant layer which
absorbs any liquid surrounding or contained in the waste to be
picked up. The bag also has a draw string closure on the top which
pulls from either side. Optionally, the bag is opaque so that the
user cannot see the contents.
According to another embodiment of the invention, a gauze pad or
other such absorbent pad is attached to one side of the bag on top
of the absorbent towel layer, to provide additional absorbency.
This pad, or the absorbent towel layer, may be impregnated or
soaked or covered with a disinfectant, in case of a medical
application of the bag, or a cleaning material such as a solvent,
in the case of use of the bag to clean up a toxic waste. Also, the
pad may be adapted for special functions, such as for scrubbing a
surface.
In operation, the user places his or her hand inside the plastic
glove which is inside the bag and grasps the waste, or wipes up the
waste. The padding absorbs the moisture or waste, while the
cut-resistant material protects against needles or broken glass or
the like from puncturing through the plastic and into the users
hand. The user then turns the bag inside out so that the waste is
contained inside the bag. Finally, the draw strings are pulled
tight so that the bag is closed. The user may carry the waste,
which is neatly contained within the bag, or the user may dispose
of the bag containing the waste at the first convenient
location.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the clean up bag constructed in
accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the clean up bag after being turned
inside out.
FIG. 3 is a top cross-sectional view of the clean up bag.
FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the clean up bag after it has been
turned inside out.
FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an alternate embodiment of the clean
up bag according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a top cross-sectional view of the clean up bag according
to an alternate embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to FIG. 1, the present invention consists of a clean up
device 10 constructed from a bag 12 and a glove 14 for use in
cleaning up and disposing of toxic, hazardous, or infectious waste
(not shown).
Preferably, the glove 14 is sized and shaped to receive an adult's
hand and has two thumbs 16 so that the glove may be used by either
left handed or right handed individuals. However, a one-handed
glove (i.e. either right or left) will also work well. In the
preferred embodiment, the glove is constructed from some type of
heat-sealable plastic, but those skilled in the art will recognize
that other materials may be used.
The bag is generally rectangular in shape and sized to receive the
glove 14. In the preferred embodiment, the bag is constructed from
heat-sealable plastic, similar to that from which the glove is
constructed. Preferably, the plastic is opaque so when the bag is
turned inside out, the contents are not visible. Again, those
skilled in the art will appreciate that alternative materials may
be used.
The bag has a top 18 and a bottom 20 and two opposing sides 22 and
24. Optionally, the bag can include pleats (not shown), one on each
side, extending longitudinally from the top 18 of the bag 12 to the
bottom 20 of the bag 12. Such optional pleats allow the bag 12 to
be easily turned inside out so that the waste is contained in the
interior of the clean up device 10.
Further, the bag 12 has a gathering type cord arrangement 30, shown
in FIG. 3, which may be pulled from either side to secure the
contents inside of the bag.
Preferably, this gathering arrangement 30 consists of a first 32
and a second 34 draw string cord. Both draw string cords 32 and 34
are located in a sleeve 36 along the top 18 of the bag 12. The
sleeve 36 is formed by folding over a small portion of the bag near
the top 18 and heat sealing the folded edge thereby forming the
sleeve. The draw string cords 32 and 34 are both placed in the
sleeve 36 so that the first cord 32 may be drawn closed from side
22 of the bag while the second cord 34 may be drawn closed from
side 24 of the bag.
As shown in FIG. 3, the bag includes a plastic bag 15 which is
covered with a cut-resistant material 50 such as Kevlar.TM..
Material 50 is preferably fastened to the plastic bag with an
adhesive, and covers the entire outside surface of the plastic bag
to prevent puncture of the bag by glass or needles or other sharps.
Layered over material 50 is an absorbent towel 52 (attached by
adhesive), which is shown covering the entire surface of material
50 but optionally need only cover selected portions of the material
50, such as the surface of material 50 on the side 38 opposite the
inside surface of the bag 15 to which the glove is attached. Towel
52 is preferably a corrugated cotton fabric which is often used in
hospital settings; however, it will be appreciated by those skilled
in the art that any type of absorbent fabric may be used. Towel 52
absorbs any liquid surrounding or contained in the waste.
Optionally, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a pad 54 is attached by
adhesive or stitching to the towel 52 on side 38 of the bag. The
pad 54 or other such absorbent pad is preferably gauze for medical
applications, and is attached to provide additional absorbency.
Preferably, pad 54 may be a 4".times.4" or 4".times.6" (or larger)
surgical gauze positioned into the approximate center of the bag
side 38 for added absorbency of open wounds or in direct surgical
procedures where fluids and blood would have to be absorbed very or
fairly quickly. Optionally, the gauze 54 (or towel 52) can be
pre-medicated (substance 56, such as a medication or disinfectant),
pre-sterilized, pre-sanitized, etc., and already packaged that way,
ready to off-set possible infection at the clean-up site when the
bag with gauze is applied. In addition, due to the increased
absorbency, a disinfectant or sanitizing solution could be applied
directly to the gauze insert during use and then applied to the
area or open wound for infection control. The absorbent towel layer
52 or pad 54 may be impregnated or soaked or covered with a
cleaning material such as a solvent, in the case of use of the bag
to clean up a toxic waste. Also, the pad 54 may be adapted for
special functions such as for scrubbing a surface containing a
toxic, hazardous or infectious waste.
The clean up device 10 is preferably constructed by heat sealing
the plastic glove 14 to one interior side 42 of the bag 12. In
operation, the user places his or her hand inside the plastic glove
14 which is located on the inside 42 of the plastic bag 12. The
user then grasps the inside of the bag and uses the glove to
control the movement of the outside surface of the bag for
cleaning, or to grasp objects such as sharps or other hazardous or
infectious objects to be disposed of. The device may be used to
clean up liquids, blood, mucus, sinews, body parts, feces and other
various spilled substances required to be cleaned up in and around
a hospital, nursing home, clinic, day care, home care/nursing or
any medical emergency situation. The paper toweling is optionally
strong enough to permit it to be moistened first and applied to the
area(s) for intended clean-up, if desired. Soap, disinfectants,
sterilizing solutions can be applied to the paper toweling material
52 and/or pad 54 first for easier clean up; or, it can be used in
the dry format, for easy absorbency. The towel 52 and/or gauze 54
absorbs moisture and thus, helps with gripping objects and allows
for spills or blood to be cleaned up. Further, the padding 40
prevents the user from feeling the texture and heat content of the
waste, if such is present. Optionally, a pad 54 or the towel 52 may
be of a heat resistant material to allow for the handling of hot
objects or materials.
After the user has picked up or wiped up the waste, the user will
use its other hand to turn the plastic bag 12 inside out (FIG. 4).
When the bag 12 is turned inside out, the user can then remove his
or her hand from the plastic glove 14 and grasp both ends of the
draw strings 32 and 34 and tighten them so that the bag is closed.
Thus, when complete, the waste is contained on the interior of the
bag. The invention thus has applications in medical, industrial and
household cleaning areas.
While it is contemplated that the invention is best used as a
disposable product, in some cases the bag and paper toweling could
be rinsed out, hung to dry, and re-used several times before the
paper would give way or show signs of wear. As another alternative,
the bag could have a layer of linen or cotton absorbent material
instead of the paper toweling and be reused repeatedly until the
plastic bag started to show signs of wear--at that time, it could
be turned inside-out and permanently discarded.
Various alternated embodiments of the invention are possible, as
set forth below:
1) the interior plastic bag and draw-string could be colored in red
to indicate toxic waste.
2) The entire "exterior" of bag with toweling material, cut
resistant fabric/material is in white or blue to indicate use in a
surgical/hospital/medical environment--the interior plastic bag
which becomes the exterior, enveloping closure on the interior
contents when turned inside out--could be red, white, or pastel
blue, or transparent, (depending on designated needs such as
infectious wastes), regular safe disposal waste, etc.
3) The paper toweling material could be exchanged for "cotton,"
"linen," or some synthetic combination of fibers which would have a
high absorbency rate or quality to the material.
4) The size of the clean-up device or bag could be expanded or
enlarged for major surgical procedures where a great deal of fluids
are generated due to loss of blood and irrigation procedures. The
"gauze insert" could also be enlarged and thickened (comparable to
the thickness of a diaper) for various types of major surgeries
requiring clean up and greater absorbency procedures. The inserted
gauze would be enlarged appropriately or proportionally to meet the
needs of greater absorbency required in most major surgeries. (the
sample size included would be appropriate for minor surgeries;
plastic surgeries, etc.). Regular sizes: 10".times.14;,
10".times.16" and 12".times.20".
5) The clean up device can be used with medicated gauze and medical
emergency situations for emergency room and paramedic vehicles
would or could make this a standard clean-up device in trauma
packs, operating room clean up kits, etc.
6) The bag can be used without the cut-resistant material in the
case of using the pad 54 for special purpose hazardous waste clean
up where sharp objects were not present, such as for scrubbing a
hazardous waste and capturing the waste in the bag.
7) The bag can be used as an oil clean up bag for oil spill
clean-ups on a garage floor or surface. The pad 54 can be adapted
to contain a solvent material to clean up the oil or the toweling
can be adapted to absorb oil.
8) A tack bag: goop on the insert and the towel exterior to clean
up with. This can be used to remove sediment & dust from an
automobile exterior or some other finish that must be dust-free
before an application of a finishing coat or sealant is
applied.
9) A bag with a "silver cloth" used to polish silver and other
metals to a clean, bright new finish.
10) "Treated" material bags with ammonia, soap, detergents, various
cleaning products, etc., pre-treated on the towel 52 or pad 54.
11) A sponge bag may be formed with a paper-thin sponge material on
outside for wiping spills off dining room tables and pick-up
garbage.
12) A Scotch Brite.TM. bag may be formed by attaching Scotch
Brite.TM. cleaning material on one side of bag for scouring.
13) A shoe shine bag can be formed like he type found in better
hotel rooms with advertising on one side of plastic, the opposite
side would be a "buffing cloth material" for shoe polishing and the
interior of plastic lined bag would contain complimentary sample
sized shoe polish, sewing kit, and shampoos and soaps. Of the
various alternate embodiments outlined above, those that do not
involve the cleaning of sharp objects would not require a
cut-resistant layer in the bag design. In particular, items 7-13
would not normally require a bag construction with a cut-resistant
material.
Although the invention has been described with respect to specific
embodiments and configurations, those of skill in the art will
recognize that many modifications may be made thereto without
departing from the spirit and scope of the claims appended
hereto.
* * * * *